Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-01

The Usual Idiot Cries "ffre'" Il"
the Grand Opern.House.
New York World.

New York world.l
The idiot who yells "Firel In
crowded theatres during performance
turned up again last night This time
he was in the gallery of the Grand
Opera House, and, as on former occa-
sions. he escaped. 1t came about in
this way. William Bengaugh is young
married man Of twenty-five, who re-
sides with bis wife and child at No.
724 Washington street. For some un-
known reason he objects to his wife
attending theatrical performances, and
recently forbade her TO do so under any
circumstances. Last night she disre-
garded his command and, taking her
infant, slipped away from home, and,
going to the Grand Opera House,
bought two admissions 10 the gallery.
Her husband returned and, missing
her, made inquiries aud learned where
she had gone. He Immediately started
after her and reached the theatre just
as the curtain had fallen upon the
second act.
He made his way mp TO the gallery
and found his wife and child sitting in
one of the front rows. He walked down
the aisle to the wOman's side, and then,
after a short :nterchange of words,
struck her. lie Afterwards said that he
only tapped her on the shoulder, bat
witnesses said that he struck her with
some force. This action aroused the in-
dignatioh of a man seated near by, who
made for Bcngaugh and proceeded 10
domolish him. The struggle attracted
the attention Of the people down stairs,
who, not understanding the noise, be-
gan to move uueasily in their seats. At
this junctWe the unknown raised his
cry of "Firc
In moment the audience on the
main floor, already excited and ouly
needing this final spark to break into a
panic, sprang up, while number OF
them rushed from the auditorium.
Things began to look serious and the
actors tried to allay the excitement by
shouting from the stage;
"Sit down There is no fire
As soon as it was known by the at
tachcs of the theatre that there WAS no
cause for alarm the big doors leading
to Eighth avenue were closed, and Il
number of stalwart policemen standing
there kept back the struggling crowd.
At the same time they shouted:
"There is no fire
The crush was getting rather heavy,
and to make matters more interesting
several women tainted away in the
midst of it. Five or ten minutes passed
before the audience recognized that
there was no danger, and calmed down
again. Finally the coomess of the
greater part OF the audience prevailed,
and although about one hundred per
sons fed from the theatre, the remain
der resumed their seats and stayed until
the conclusion of the performance.
B,neaugh was arrested by police
man and marched around to the Iwcn-
ticth-Stroet station, where he was lock
ed up on the complaint OF Joseph T..
Early, TIE keeper Of the Grand Opera
House gallery. Later on Fireman john
Holbrook, on detail duty at the the
atre, arrested a man who was pointed
out to him as the rascal who gave the
false alarm. This man was taken 10
the Tweutieth-Stroet station. There he
gave thcname Of Deebe, and was locked
up. Both Bengaugh and Beebe will
be- airaigned at jefferson Market this
morning.
when Reneaueh was dragged out his
wife concluded to get the worth Of her
money and remained TO see the rest OF
the play.
Several of the audience came TO the
WorM Office last night aud complained
hat the orchestra kept silent oil durina
the trouble, whereas if they hal play
ed some lively tunes it was held that
much Of the excitement might hay,
been allayed.